New York City Metro Short-Term Foster Care / Immigrant Children

In 2014 Cayuga Centers embarked on a journey to meet an emerging need in the United States that addresses the care, safety and support of unaccompanied immigrant children. Our mission is to serve children, families and individuals, within a safe and therapeutic environment, so that they may grow as independent, healthy human beings. Within this mission, we believe all children deserve to feel safe.

With our expertise in Treatment Family Foster Care, Cayuga Centers proposed placing immigrant children in foster home settings where they could be in a home environment rather than in congregate facilities. The agency received funding through the Office of Refugee Resettlement to offer 396 short-term Treatment Foster Care beds for these children in New York City and its boroughs. These children are placed in Spanish-speaking foster homes as they await reunification with a family member or sponsor, or return to the country of origin. We also provide long-term foster care for unaccompanied youth who do not have sponsors but can’t be deported because their lives may be in danger in their home country, providing a safe, stable environment and a therapy-rich program as they work out their legal status.

Before placement in a foster home, Cayuga Centers completes processing that includes medical and therapeutic assessments. Foster parents receive extensive training and 24 hour on call support. Children are matched with foster parents who can best meet their cultural and emotional needs. The average length of placement is 14 – 30 days, and foster parents receive a stipend for each day of placement. During placement, Cayuga Centers provides ongoing medical and therapeutic services, educational programming, day care, and necessary support as required by immigration law.